Chatham Square reconstruction to break ground next summer

Renovations at Chatham Square, which will break the five-way Chinatown intersection into two separate intersections, are slated to begin in seven months. The reconstruction of the intersection, which includes Worth Street and the Bowery, will add a pedestrian promenade along Park Row, which has been closed since 9/11 to protect 1 Police Plaza. But as the plans are finalized, area residents are becoming more critical of the project. They say closing the intersection for construction will back up traffic on Worth Street and that businesses, already facing rough economic times, will be hurt further if Chatham Square is closed during the reconstruction.